Varicocele is a condition that causes your veins to swell, but it only affects men. This swelling occurs in the scrotum. It consists of blood pooling in your veins, which results in the veins getting stretched and swollen.
This condition is uncomfortable for some men. The scrotum can appear unsightly with extra skin hanging from it and raised veins. However, varicocele rarely causes pain.
If you do experience pain in your scrotum, then you should be concern. This condition can cause fertility problems and cause your testicles to be different sizes. It is found in 40 percent of infertile men. Read on to find out how varicocele is detected using ultrasound imaging.
How It Affects Puberty?
Varicocele can occur in puberty. During this time, pre-teen boys' testicles tend to grow quickly and need more blood. The veins in your scrotum are unable to handle the additional blood flow. This results in some of the blood backing up, which causes varicocele.
When this condition occurs in puberty, it can affect the development of your testicles. This results in your testicles being different sizes. For example, one testicle can be smaller than the other.
Go Through A Physical Exam
Making a diagnosis starts with your doctor doing a physical exam. Your doctor will physically touch your scrotum. Some men with varicocele may have a large mass above their testicle. It feels like a sack of worms. If the mass is large, then your doctor may feel the enlarged veins. On the other hand, a smaller mass makes it hard to detect this condition. For these reasons, your doctor may order an ultrasound imaging of your scrotum.
Get An Ultrasound
Ultrasound imaging is a noninvasive test for diagnosing varicocele. It is a painless and safe procedure that uses sound waves to produce images of the inside of your body. This test creates images of the testicles and the surrounding tissues. If your doctor detects a lump after doing a physical exam, then ultrasound imaging can help determine the reason for the lump. Treatment is an option when this condition is causing pain or affecting fertility.
It is common to feel stress when something is wrong with your genitals. Fortunately, varicocele is not a life-threatening disease. You only need to treat this condition when you start experiencing symptoms. If you are exhibiting symptoms or pain, then you should schedule an appointment with your doctor. A company like EVDI Medical Imaging can give you more information about the ultrasound process.
